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It’s one of the underhanded way the status quo is maintained. But it’s also helpful to remember how we arrived at this point, because it provides a case study in how overdue calls for equity and inclusion get muted and neutered by “process,” even if that’s not the explicit motivation. We take Dammeier at his word when he says he supports Pierce County’s LGBTQ community. On Tuesday, discussing his veto decision with The News Tribune, Dammeier said that he owes the people of Pierce County a uniform flag policy “that they can apply - and apply to their situation fairly.” It’s one reason The News Tribune Editorial Board continues to be dismayed by Dammeier’s refusal to treat the unnecessary debate over flying the Pride flag at county buildings with the thoughtfulness and distinction it deserves. “To read that celebrating who they are is divisive sends a very clear message that they are not valued,” Christensen said.Ĭhristensen is exactly right about the power and importance of Pride celebrations. In light of anti-LGBTQ legislation being considered and passed by state legislatures across the country, Christensen said that local LGBTQ youth are watching to see what happens at home.
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“Instead we are showing up as fully who we are, and raising our heads high for people to see who we are and what we contribute to our community.” “Pride, for us, is to say we are no longer acting in shame and secrecy,” Christensen said. On Monday, Dammeier vetoed the council Democrats’ simple-majority flag policy, insisting that the county already has a much more stringent one. Because there was no explicit policy on the books, the executive had one drawn up - apparently unbeknownst to Democrats - requiring all seven votes on the council to hoist a flag on county property other than the four allowed under county rules. Before council voted on the proclamation, Dammeier declined to be a part of it.ĭammeier also attempted to make sure that flying any special flag – including the Pride flag - at Pierce County buildings would depend on unanimous council support in the future. Then, not a single Republican supported the county’s historic Pride Month proclamation, with Amy Cruver voting against it and Hans Zeiger and Dave Morrell abstaining. But even that description risks dancing around the issue: Democrats on the council passed a flag policy because, last year, efforts to fly the Pride flag in conjunction with Pierce County’s first-ever Pride Month proclamation were thwarted and eventually abandoned.Īt the time, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier pushed back on attempts to fly the Pride flag during the annual celebration of Pierce County’s LGBTQ community, leading Democrats on the council to drop the issue.